Chapter Ninety: The Cold Soul Blade

Outside the guest room stood several Daoists from the Xuan Zhen Temple, among whom was Qingxu, who had once met Qi Fei. Upon seeing Qi Fei appear, Qingxu hurriedly reported to a small, thin elder beside him, “Uncle Master, this is the one who slaughtered Cheng Feng on Qingyang Peak that day.”

Qi Fei had now cultivated the fierce and domineering Sky-Cleaving Force. Seeing the murderous glint in the eyes of these lingering disciples of Xuan Zhen Temple, he was unwilling to simply let the matter rest.

“Master, what is your intention? The duel between Cheng Feng and me was a matter of fate; he was outmatched and died by my hand without injustice. Furthermore, didn’t Cheng Feng say that day he wished to join my Danxia Sect? His death has nothing to do with you. Your Xuan Zhen Temple is already a shadow of its former self. If you are dissatisfied, come at me. I, Qi Fei, am ready to face you.”

His words, uttered in front of all, were a blatant provocation, and the faces of the Xuan Zhen Daoists changed dramatically.

Chu Qingyun was about to speak and persuade, but then thought better of it. Qingxu and his fellows secretly resented him for forcing their hand that day and had already submitted to that wretched fellow’s sect. If Qi Fei could eliminate these remnants of Xuan Zhen Temple, it would rid him of a lingering worry.

The elder’s expression turned grim as he sneered coldly, “Such courage. So you are Qi Fei?”

“Indeed. And you must be the Grand Elder of Xuan Zhen Temple?”

“I am Miao Yi. I wonder if you dare accept my challenge?”

A fierce light flashed in Qi Fei’s eyes. He replied slowly, “Since Master Miao Yi wishes to test my strength, I will accompany you to the end.”

Miao Yi’s killing intent was undisguised, his words harsh, “Very well. I shall see what you are made of, you arrogant fool.”

“Qi Fei, your wounds are not yet healed…” Chu Qingyun feared Qi Fei was still gravely injured and no match for the Grand Elder of Xuan Zhen Temple, and his worry showed.

“Rest assured, Young Marquis. I have taken the healing pills from your residence and am no longer hindered by my injuries. However, there is one matter for which I must trouble you.”

Qi Fei was calm and composed, showing no fear of the elder’s challenge.

“The Marquis previously agreed to lend me the Cold Soul Blade for a time. Might I trouble you to have someone fetch this divine weapon?”

A strange light flashed in Chu Qingyun’s eyes. He thought to himself that Qi Fei had only met his father once, yet managed to borrow the treasured blade his father had cherished for years—how extraordinary.

“My father has already agreed, so it is easily done. I’ll send someone for the Cold Soul Blade at once.”

Qi Fei clasped his hands in thanks, “Thank you, Young Marquis.”

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Miao Yi seemed to see through Qi Fei’s intentions and sneered, “Qi Fei, do you believe that with the Marquis’s divine weapon, you can overcome the supreme arts of Xuan Zhen Temple?”

Qi Fei responded unhurriedly, “I have already made a ten-day pact with Miss Chu. Since you seek death, I’ll use you, an adept of the transformation stage, as a sacrifice for my blade.”

Qi Fei’s arrogance infuriated Miao Yi and the disciples of Xuan Zhen Temple. Their sect had suffered calamity, nearly facing extinction. With no other choice, Miao Yi had led the surviving disciples to seek refuge under the Marquis. They had recently heard of Sima Yan’s tragic demise at the hands of a demonic adept, and some secretly felt relief. But now, the Danxia Sect disciple Qi Fei, who had slain their sect’s genius, was just as audacious.

Miao Yi’s murderous intent surged, thinking Qi Fei hoped to use the Marquis to shield himself, and he shouted, “Qi Fei, are you afraid? Do you want the Marquis to protect you?”

Having spoken at length with the Marquis the night before, Qi Fei had received the lord’s favor and was not intimidated by Miao Yi. “If so, I only ask that the Young Marquis send for the Cold Soul Blade without informing the Marquis. I will give him an explanation afterward.”

Chu Qingyun saw Qi Fei’s confidence and felt reassured. Qi Fei’s martial prowess was profound, and he possessed unfathomable Daoist escape techniques. Even if he was not Miao Yi’s equal, he should be able to retreat safely.

Thinking this, Chu Qingyun quickly sent his trusted aide to fetch the Cold Soul Blade and led Qi Fei and the Xuan Zhen Temple adepts to the Marquis’s training hall.

Miao Yi did not underestimate the youth who had slain his sect’s genius, but relying on his own advanced cultivation at the transformation stage, he believed he could defeat this Danxia Sect disciple.

Everyone waited quietly in the training hall. Before long, Chu Qingyun’s trusted aide entered alongside a decrepit old man, stepping slowly into the hall.

The old man seemed to hold great status in the Marquis’s residence. Chu Qingyun’s expression changed at the sight and he quickly bowed, “Uncle Fu, thank you for your trouble.”

The elder smiled gently, “No trouble. The Marquis intended to gift the Cold Soul Blade to Young Master Qi. Now that I have handed over the divine weapon, I am relieved of much worry.”

Miao Yi’s heart was shaken by these words. He had not expected Qi Fei to be so favored by the Marquis. But even if Qi Fei was valued by the lord, if he could kill him today, just as Chu Qingyun had joined forces with the Seven Gates to defeat Xuan Zhen Temple before, the Marquis would not pursue the matter deeply.

Chu Qingyun feared the duel between Qi Fei and Miao Yi would displease Chu Huaiyuan, so he asked, “Uncle Fu, today is to settle old grievances between Qi Fei and Xuan Zhen Temple. Does my father know of this?”

“The Marquis left early, busy with affairs. Since this is a personal matter and no lives will be lost, I doubt he will mind.”

Uncle Fu cast a meaningful glance at Miao Yi, causing the Grand Elder’s expression to change.

Qi Fei was secretly startled; this unremarkable old man was also a deep and unfathomable Daoist adept, likely on par with Liu Yanzhen from before. The Marquis’s residence was indeed a gathering of experts, no wonder Zhuo Jin’er dared not set foot in Huaiyang City lightly.

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Uncle Fu raised the Cold Soul Blade and smiled at Qi Fei, “Young Master Qi, this blade was once the Marquis’s beloved weapon. Now that he gifts it to you, do not forget his kindness.”

Qi Fei stepped forward and accepted the blade, solemnly stating, “I will not disappoint the Marquis’s high expectations.”

Unable to conceal his excitement, Qi Fei drew the blade; a crisp metallic ring echoed through the hall.

The Cold Soul Blade was flawless and crystal-clear, its edge tinged with a chilling blood-red hue. A cool sensation spread from the hilt, and when Qi Fei flicked the blade, he felt the latent, murderous energy that had been dormant for years suddenly surge forth.

Qi Fei steadied his mind, thinking that the Cold Soul Blade, famed alongside Chu Yanran’s Star-Shattering Sword, must possess unknown extraordinary qualities. Miao Yi, driven by his sect’s destruction, would become a future threat if not eliminated. Today, with this legendary blade and his newly mastered Sky-Cleaving Force, he would slay the Grand Elder of Xuan Zhen Temple.

“Master Miao Yi, please.”

A stern light flashed in Miao Yi’s eyes; he thought to himself that the Marquis’s divine blade was indeed extraordinary. To avoid falling to Qi Fei due to carelessness, he quickly focused his mind, preparing to fight with all his strength.

As the duel between two masters was about to begin, Chu Qingyun and the Marquis’s experts hastily withdrew.

“Uncle Master, be careful. This youth’s martial cultivation has reached the innate stage, and he also commands a strange Daoist escape technique; do not underestimate him during the transformation,” Qingxu warned, worried that Qi Fei with the divine blade was now even more formidable.

Miao Yi replied coldly, “This youth has built his name across the nine counties of Yongzhou on the corpses of Xuan Zhen Temple’s disciples. Today, we will reclaim that blood debt.”

Qi Fei’s Sky-Cleaving Force surged within him, his eyes filled with murderous resolve. “Enough talk. Let’s fight.”

Miao Yi waved back the disciples, then let out a thunderous roar. Daoist arts activated, his primordial spirit emerged transformed. Brilliant light enveloped him as his true form appeared.

Qi Fei raised the Cold Soul Blade, his figure blurring into a shadow as he launched a deadly attack.

In an instant, a bone-chilling cold swept through the hall, enveloping everything. Under the pervasive chill, a sense of unease crept into Miao Yi’s heart.